Difference Between Black American and African American

‘Black American’ and ‘African American’ are generally terms used for referring to Americans with an African ancestry. However, there is often confusion as to which term should be used and which term may be distressing to people of color.

The term ‘African American’ or ‘Afro American’ is more popular nowadays than the term ‘Black American’. The term ‘Black American’ came into existence during the 1960s and ’70s, at the time of the Civil Rights Movement. It was the Black Movement that insisted on the use of black instead of negro. The term ‘African American’ or ‘Afro American’ became popular during the 1980s.

The term ‘Black American’ is generally used for people who have slave ancestors. These people may not have any close association with Africa or with recent immigrants. The term ‘Black American’ also refers to those who have emigrated from the Caribbean. Â Some people call themselves Black Americans with pride, showcasing their culture and skin colour.

‘African American’ or ‘Afro American’ is a term that is widely used to describe all people with an African ancestry. In using ‘African American’ there is no distinction between immigrants from Ghana or Haiti or the other Caribbean islands, whether in recent times or centuries ago as it is felt that all have an African ancestry.

When it comes to the choice of whether to use the term ‘Black American’ or ‘African American’, many feel that the latter should be used as it imparts some sort of respect. It is felt that the use of ‘black’ could hark back to the dark ages of slavery.

Summary:
1. The terms ‘African American’ or ‘Afro American’ are more popular nowadays than the term ‘Black American’.
2. The term ‘African American’ is widely used as it imparts some sort of respect. It is felt that the use of ‘black’ could hark back to the dark ages of slavery.
3. The term ‘Black American’ came into existence during the 1960s and ’70s, during the Civil Rights Movement. It was the Black Movement that insisted on the use of black instead of the negro. It was in the 1980s that the term ‘African American’ or ‘Afro American’ became popular.
4. Some people use the term ‘Black American’ with pride, showcasing their culture and skin colour.
5. The term ‘Black American’ is generally used for people who have slave ancestors. These people may not have any very close connection with Africa or with recent immigrants.
6. In using the term ‘African American’ there is no distinction between immigrants from Ghana or Haiti or any other Caribbean island, whether in the recent times or centuries ago as it is felt that everyone has an African ancestry.

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Written by : Prabhat S.
and updated on July 26, 2011

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